SCRIPTURE READING I CORINTHIANS 8:1-5

THE GIVING MACEDONIAN CHURCHES I Cor. 8:1-5

or a tenth of one’s income or property as an offering to the Lord is an old practice that goes back to the ancient times. Tithing dates back before the advent of the Mosaic Law. The Old Testament’s purpose of giving of the tenth was to meet the material needs of the Levites.

“I am free. I am an apostle. I have seen the Lord Jesus and have led you to have faith in him. Others may think that I am not an apostle, but you are proof that I am an apostle to you.

When people question me, I tell them that Barnabas and I have the right to our food and drink. We each have the right to marry one of the Lord’s followers and to take her along with us, just as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Peter do.

Are we the only ones who have to support ourselves by working at another job? Do soldiers pay their own salaries? Don’t people who raise grapes eat some of what they grow? Don’t shepherds get milk from their own goats?

I am not saying this on my own authority. The Law of Moses tells us not to muzzle an ox when it is grinding grain. But was God concerned only about an ox? No, he wasn’t! He was talking about us. This was written in the Scriptures so that all who plow and all who grind the grain will look forward to sharing in the harvest.

When we told the message to you, it was like planting spiritual seed. So we have the right to accept material things as our harvest from you. If others have the right to do this, we have an even greater right. But we haven’t used this right of ours. We are willing to put up with anything to keep from causing trouble for the message about Christ.”

1. The Macedonian churches made their gifts during a “great trial of affection” (8:2). Giving during a time when one is down financially speaks well of the Macedonian churches;

2. The Macedonian churches gave with abounding joy (8:2). Materially poor but spiritually blest with joy and gladness;

3. The Macedonian churches were in “deep poverty” when they gave their special cause (8:2). No circumstances barred the early Christians from sharing what little gifts to the poor like them;

4. The Macedonian churches gave willingly and gladly (8:3);

5. The Macedonian churches begged for the privilege, right and favour of joining in Paul’s mission in Jerusalem (8:4);

6. They made their offering only after a new experience of consecration and dedication (8:5). “And they did more than we had hope. They gave themselves first to the Lord, and then to us, just as God wanted them do.”

Macedonia was located at the N.W. corner of the Aegean. Its capital was Pella. Macedonia became a Roman province in 148 B.C. Macedonia was an important route between Asia and the west cities of this area.

Lydia of Thyatira was the first convert. She was a dealer of purple cloth. (Acts 16:14)

FORTUNE TELLER The profession of this second convert gave her exploiters an opportunity to stir up a riot against Paul and Silas.

“so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of his one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to teach other, and each of us needs all the others.”

Exaltation and glorifying Jesus Christ

of those who are seeking the Lord and are spiritually lost;

Edification of the followers of the faith

EXPRESSION OF HELP, ASSISTANCE, AND SERVICE

“In Him we live, and move, and have our being.” (Acts 17:28, KJV)

His glor y and hono ur

“ It is not the weight of the jewel or plate, Or the fondle of silk or fur ; Tis the spirit in which is the gift is rich, As the gifts of the Wise Ones were, And we are not told whose gift was gold, Or whose was the gift of myrrh.”

‘Godly people give generously to the poor. Their good deeds will never be forgotten.’ For God is the one who gives seed to the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will give you many opportunities to do good, and he will produce a great harvest of generosity in you.

Thank God for his Son – a gift too wonderful for words! Thank God for his Son – a gift too wonderful for words !

But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward.

Jesus says: “Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven.

When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do.

-blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get-

 Jesus says: “Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone, don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in secret, and your Father, who knows all secrets, will reward.” (Matt 6:1-4, New Living Translation)